Caton Court Lancaster

PMJ Masonry were tasked with constructing four student accommodation buildings for Lancaster University. In Caton Court in Lancaster, PMJ Masonry collaborated with Eric Wright Construction to create the eye-catching apartments for students. The construction began in 2018, and by the November of 2019, the project had reached its completion and produced four state-of-the-art apartment blocks.

The new student accommodation features both Stanton Moor Sandstone and Titan Multi. Caton Court harnessed the traditional natural stone as well as digital mapping technology, to create a housing development that decorates and enhances the street scape of Lancaster.

Scope specifics:

• 4 student accommodation buildings
• Stone recessed window panels
• Fully tumbled/ ashlar 9 storey northern elevation
• Stone recessed panels to the south, east and west elevation
• 4 storey sandstone and brick façade
• 9 storey blocks clad in Stanton Moor

Key challenges: Creating this state-of-the-art project in Lancaster did not come without challenges. It became apparent from the outset that stone and masonry support on Block A’s radius elevation was an obstacle. However, using a ‘point cloud survey’, and creating a 3D laser model, we were able to create a bespoke masonry support solution through an accurate projection.

Greatest achievement from this project:

Block A, with its distinctive curved wall, emerged as the showpiece of the project. Despite the challenges created by the curve of Block A, featured in the picture above, the block is absolutely the triumph of this project, and evidence of the engineering and masonry involved in this project.

The curved southern elevation showcases a blend of tumbled walling, curved Stanton Moor ashlar sills, and ashlar cladding, all meticulously installed using traditional frame cramps and mortar. Despite the difficulties in planning the stonework and masonry supports for the elevated radius, the completed building is a highlight of Lancaster’s skyline. In addition to the project’s modern aesthetics, the apartment buildings are a practical, safe, and functional success. Our own Quality and Assurance systems became a vital tool, utilised throughout the project to ensure safety. Following the completion of the project, further third-party inspections were executed to ensure the fire strategy met all specifications, which it successfully achieved.

The result:

This new state-of-the-art building now provides the finest residential facilities for students at Lancaster University. The synthesis of traditional masonry techniques and intelligent modern design that embraced digitalised solutions, has created a landmark on Lancaster’s skyline. An example of some of our finest work, Caton Court is a project that we are incredibly proud of, and we hope will achieve recognition in design and installation categories at future award ceremonies.